JP2013117920A - Information processing equipment, control method of information processing equipment, control program and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow information processing equipment of proxy printing by an image forming apparatus connected to a local.SOLUTION: Information processing equipment includes: an equipment monitoring part 111 which shares equipment information on network multifunction machines 3a, 3b connected via a network and a directly connected local printer 4 with other PCs via the network; an alternative equipment retrieval part 113 which retrieves proxy equipment which acts for image formation output based on the registered equipment information when the image formation output in the selected network multifunction machines 3a, 3b is impossible; a printer driver 102 which transmits a proxy request to a PC 2 when other local printer 4 is selected as the proxy equipment; and a print data analysis part 112 which determines propriety of proxy when the proxy request is received, and requests execution of the image formation output to the printer driver 102 of the local printer 4 when the proxy is possible.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method for the information processing apparatus, a control program, and an image forming system, and more particularly to control of execution of image formation output via a network for a locally connected image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is often configured as a multifunction machine that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like.

  Among such image processing apparatuses, an image forming apparatus used for outputting digitized information receives a print job generated by an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) and based on the print job. In general, the image forming output is executed. Also, a method has been proposed for transferring a print job and having another image forming apparatus substitute the output when a failure occurs in the image forming apparatus that has received the print job and output is impossible ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, only an image forming apparatus that is directly connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) is a proxy object because of the transfer of a print job. For this reason, an image forming apparatus that is connected only to a PC via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like, that is, a local image forming apparatus is not a substitute object.

  Any method that allows a PC to which a local image forming apparatus is connected to function as a server and causes the local image forming apparatus to execute image forming output from another PC via the server has been conventionally used. However, in the conventional method, it is necessary to set both the PC to which the local image forming apparatus is connected and the PC that transmits the print job, and it is difficult for a user who is unfamiliar with the operation.

  Further, only a PC that has been set as described above can transmit a print job, and does not support proxy printing when a failure occurs in the image forming apparatus.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to enable proxy printing by an image forming apparatus locally connected to an information processing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problem, an aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that causes an image forming apparatus connected via a network to execute an image forming output, the image forming apparatus connected via the network And a device information management unit that registers device information related to the image forming device directly connected to the information processing device in a storage medium and shares the registered device information with other information processing devices via a network. In addition, when image formation output in the image forming apparatus is impossible, a substitute device search unit that searches for a substitute device that performs image formation output based on the registered device information, and other information as the substitute device When an image forming apparatus directly connected to the processing apparatus is selected, a proxy request for transmitting a proxy request for image forming output to the other information processing apparatus When the proxy request is received, when the proxy request is received, the proxy availability determination unit that determines whether the proxy of the image forming output is possible, and when the proxy is possible, the directly connected image forming apparatus A proxy request processing unit that requests the image forming output control unit that controls the image forming output based on the received proxy request based on the received proxy request.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a method of controlling an information processing apparatus that causes an image forming apparatus connected via a network to execute an image forming output, the image forming apparatus connected via the network, and the image forming Register device information related to the image forming apparatus directly connected to the output control device in a storage medium, share the registered device information with other information processing apparatuses via a network, and select the image in the selected image forming apparatus. When formation output is impossible, a proxy device that performs image formation output is searched based on the registered device information, and an image forming device directly connected to another information processing device is selected as the substitute device. When the proxy request is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus and the proxy request is received, the image forming output Based on the received proxy request to the image forming output control unit that controls the image forming output by the directly connected image forming apparatus when it is determined that the proxy is possible. And requesting execution of image forming output.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for an information processing apparatus that causes an image forming apparatus connected via a network to execute an image forming output, the image forming apparatus connected via the network, and the image Registering device information related to the image forming device directly connected to the forming output control device in a storage medium, sharing the registered device information with other information processing devices via a network, and selecting the selected image forming device. When image forming output in the apparatus is impossible, a step of searching for a substitute device that performs image forming output on the basis of the registered device information, and directly connected to another information processing apparatus as the substitute device When an image forming apparatus is selected, sending a proxy request for image forming output to the other information processing apparatus; A step of determining whether or not the substitution of the image forming output is possible when the substitution request is received, and an image for controlling the image formation output by the directly connected image forming apparatus when the substitution is possible; And causing the information processing apparatus to execute a step of requesting execution of the image forming output based on the received proxy request to the forming output control unit.

  Still another aspect of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus including a plurality of information processing apparatuses, an image forming apparatus connected to the plurality of information processing apparatuses via a network, and an image forming apparatus directly connected to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus registers in a storage medium device information related to an image forming apparatus connected via the network and an image forming apparatus directly connected to the information processing apparatus, and the registered apparatus Image forming based on the registered device information when the device information management unit that shares information with other information processing devices via a network and image formation output in the selected image forming device is impossible An alternative device search unit that searches for a substitute device that performs output substitution and an image forming apparatus that is directly connected to another information processing apparatus are selected as the substitute device. In this case, a proxy request transmitting unit that transmits a proxy request for image formation output to the other information processing apparatus, and proxy permission / non-permission for determining whether or not proxy for the image formation output is received when the proxy request is received. When the determination unit determines that the substitution is possible, the image formation output control unit that controls the image formation output by the directly connected image forming apparatus is configured to perform image formation based on the received substitution request. And a proxy request processing unit that requests execution of output.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform proxy printing by the image forming apparatus locally connected to the information processing apparatus.

It is a figure which shows the operation | use form of the system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of PC concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the apparatus information table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the function table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of PC concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the alternative printing request which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the alternative printing request which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of PC concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows GUI for inquiring a user whether the alternative printing request which concerns on embodiment of this invention is possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, in a system in which an image forming apparatus directly connected to a network and an image forming apparatus locally connected to an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) are mixed, an image directly connected to the network A system that enables proxy printing by a locally connected image forming apparatus when a failure occurs in the forming apparatus and output is impossible will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation mode of a system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the system according to the present embodiment includes a PC (Personal Computer) 1, a PC 2, a network multifunction device 3a, a network multifunction device 3b, and a local printer 4. In the present embodiment, PC1, PC2, network multifunction device 3a and network multifunction device 3b are connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and the local printer 4 is connected only to PC2. The PC 1 is an information processing terminal operated by a user, and functions as a print job transmission source in the present embodiment.

  The PC 2 is an information processing terminal operated by the user as in the case of the PC 1, and the local printer 4 is directly connected via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus). A software program for realizing the functions according to the gist of the present embodiment is installed in the PC 1 and the PC 2.

  The network multifunction device 3a and the network multifunction device 3b are image processing apparatuses connected via a network, and are equipped with image processing functions such as a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile in a complex manner. The network multifunction devices 3a and 3b execute image formation output by receiving a print job from the PC 1 and PC 2 via the network.

  The local printer 4 is an image forming apparatus directly connected to the PC 2, and as described above, is directly connected to the PC 2 via an interface such as a USB. Here, the meaning of “directly connected” in the present embodiment is not connected via a network capable of many-to-many communication such as LAN, but, for example, like USB, It means that a plurality of devices are locally connected via an interface capable of communicating with only one PC as a host or an interface capable of only one-to-one communication such as a serial line.

  In other words, the meaning that the local printer 4 in this embodiment is “directly connected” to the PC 2 is a network different from the LAN in which the local printer 4 is comprehensively connected to the PC 1 and the network multifunction peripherals 3a and 3b. This means that it is connected to the PC 2 via As an interface for connection between the PC 2 and the local printer 4, IEEE, etc. can be used in addition to the USB and serial lines described above.

  Further, it is possible to connect the PC 2 and the local printer 4 through a wireless interface. Specifically, a connection using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like can be used. The local printer 4 executes image formation output based on a command from the PC 2. The gist of the present embodiment is to enable proxy printing by the local printer 4 through the mediation of the PC 2.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the PC 1 and PC 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 1 and PC 2 according to the present embodiment include the same configuration as a general server, a PC (Personal Computer), and the like. That is, the PC 1 and PC 2 according to the present embodiment include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I / F 50. Connected through. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60 and an operation unit 70 are connected to the I / F 50.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the entire PC1 and PC2. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 80 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for confirming the state of the distribution server 2. The operation unit 70 is a user interface for a user to input information to the PC 1 and PC 2 such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the document management server 1 according to the present embodiment is operated as a server. Therefore, user interfaces such as the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 can be omitted.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 30, the HDD 40, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and operates according to the control of the CPU 10, thereby configuring a software control unit. A functional block that realizes the functions of the PC 1 and PC 2 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, functional configurations of the PC1 and PC2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the PC 1 and PC 2 according to the present embodiment include a controller 100 and a network I / F 105 in addition to the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 described above. The controller 100 includes a communication control unit 101, a printer driver 102, an information storage unit 103, a UI control unit 104, and a device cooperation control unit 110. Further, the device cooperation control unit 110 includes a device monitoring unit 111, a print data analysis unit 112, and an alternative device search unit 113.

  The network I / F 105 is an interface for the PC1 and PC2 to communicate with other devices via the network, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB interface is used. The network I / F 105 is realized by the I / F 50 shown in FIG.

  The controller 100 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a program stored in a nonvolatile storage medium such as the ROM 30 and the nonvolatile memory and the HDD 40 and the optical disk is loaded into a volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory) such as the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs an operation according to the program. The controller 100 is configured by a software control unit configured by performing and hardware such as an integrated circuit. The controller 100 is a control unit that controls the entire apparatus in each of the PC1 and the PC2.

  The communication control unit 101 receives information from other devices via the network I / F 105 and transmits information to other devices via the network I / F 105. The printer driver 102 generates a print job for causing the network multifunction peripherals 3a and 3b and the local printer 4 to execute image formation output in accordance with the operation of the application running on the PC1 and PC2, and transmits the print job to the communication control unit 101. . In addition, the printer driver 102 according to the present embodiment recognizes whether or not image formation output by the image forming apparatus designated as the image formation output destination by the user is possible. To the alternative device search unit 113.

  In FIG. 3, the printer driver 102 is described as one block, but actually, a printer driver corresponding to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is installed. Therefore, a plurality of printer drivers 102 are configured in a PC that uses a plurality of image forming apparatuses. In addition to the network multifunction devices 3a and 3b, the local printer 4 can be used by installing a corresponding printer driver.

  The information storage unit 103 stores information on available image forming apparatuses. The contents of the information storage unit 103 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the information storage unit 103 according to the present embodiment stores information in which “request destination ID”, “host name”, “host type”, “device name”, and “function table ID” are associated with each other. A device information table in which information is described for each available image forming apparatus is stored. “Requested ID” is identification information for identifying an image forming apparatus that can be used in each database. “Host name” is network identification information for uniquely identifying a transmission destination on the network in order to transmit a print job to the image forming apparatus via the network.

  “Host type” indicates whether the network identification information indicated by the “host name” described above is for an image processing apparatus such as the network multifunction peripherals 3a and 3b or an information processing apparatus such as PC1 and PC2. Information. In FIG. 4, “MFP” indicates an image processing apparatus such as the network multifunction peripherals 3a and 3b, and “PC” indicates an information processing apparatus such as PC1 and PC2. That is, when the “host type” is “PC”, the print job is received on the network by the PC 2 to which the local printer 4 is connected, and the image forming output is actually executed by the local printer 4. is there.

  “Model name” is the model name of each image forming apparatus, and the network identification information indicates the model names of the network multifunction peripherals 3a and 3b and the local printer 4. The “function table ID” is identification information for identifying a function table that is a list of functions of each image forming apparatus. The function table is stored in the information storage unit 103 in the same manner as the device information table.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of the function table according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the function table according to the present embodiment includes information such as “emulation program”, “color”, “double-sided printing”, and “staple” for each function table ID. The “emulation program” is information indicating the type of program for operating each image forming apparatus. “Color” is information indicating whether or not color printing is possible in each image forming apparatus. “Double-sided printing” is information indicating whether double-sided printing is possible in each image forming apparatus. “Staple” is information indicating whether or not stapling is possible in each image forming apparatus.

  The UI control unit 104 controls the exchange of information between the user interface such as the operation unit 70 and the LCD 60 and the internal configuration of the controller 100 such as the device cooperation control unit 110 and the printer driver 102. For example, the UI control unit 70 notifies the device cooperation control unit 110 and the printer driver 102 of information input by a user operation on the operation unit 70. Further, the UI control unit 104 causes the LCD 60 to display a GUI (Graphical User Interface) such as the device cooperation control unit 110 and the printer driver 102.

  The device cooperation control unit 110 is a configuration according to the gist of the present embodiment, and provides a function for enabling alternative printing by the local printer 4. The device monitoring unit 111 monitors image processing devices that can be used via the network and updates the contents of the table stored in the information storage unit 103. With the function of the device monitoring unit 111, the controller 100 can recognize an image processing apparatus that can be used via a network, and can recognize the local printer 4 connected to the PC 2 from the PC 1.

  At the beginning of the operation of PC1 and PC2, only the image forming apparatus in which the printer driver is installed in each of PC1 and PC2 is registered in the device information table of information storage unit 103. For example, in the operation mode of FIG. 1, information on the network multifunction devices 3 a and 3 b is registered in the PC 1, and information on the network multifunction devices 3 a and 3 b and the local printer 4 is registered in the PC 2. This registration is performed by each printer driver.

  Then, when the device monitoring unit 111 of the PC 1 and the device monitoring unit 111 of the PC 2 exchange information, the information storage unit 103 of the PC 1 also registers the information of the local printer 4 in the device information table. At this time, as described in FIG. 4, the information of the local printer 4 is registered with the host name “PC2” and the host type “PC”. Thus, in the present embodiment, the printer driver 102 and the device monitoring unit 111 function as a device information management unit.

  The print data analysis unit 112 analyzes a print job input via the network and performs processing according to information included in the print job. The function of the print data analysis unit 112 allows the PC 2 connected to the local printer 4 to cause the local printer 4 to execute image formation output based on a print job received via the network.

  The substitute device search unit 113 is stored in the information storage unit 103 in response to a notification that the printer driver 102 is empty when the printer driver 102 cannot output the image by the initially designated image forming apparatus. A device capable of alternative printing is searched based on the device information table and the function table. At this time, since the information of the local printer 4 is stored in the device information table 103, it is possible to request alternative printing from the PC 1 to the local printer 4 as well. One.

  Next, the operation of the system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the PC 1 that is the transmission source of the print job in the system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, in the PC 1, the printer driver 102 transmits a print job in response to a user operation (S <b> 601), and whether or not image formation output by the print job can be executed in the destination image processing apparatus. Judgment is made (S602).

  In step S <b> 602, the printer driver 102 determines whether image formation output at the transmission destination is possible based on, for example, a response from the transmission destination to the transmitted print job. Specifically, after a print job is transmitted, if there is no response from the network multifunction peripherals 3a and 3b that are transmission destination image forming apparatuses within a predetermined period, it is determined that output is impossible. It is also possible to determine whether or not the destination device is operating based on the return of the ping. In addition, if the transmission destination apparatus can notify that the image forming output cannot be executed in response to the reception of the print job, the PC 1 may determine that the output is impossible based on the notification.

  In FIG. 6, the PC 1 determines whether image formation output is possible in the transmission destination apparatus after transmitting the print. However, before transmitting the print job, the PC 1 determines whether image formation output is possible in the transmission destination. Also good. As a result of the determination in S602, if output is possible (S602 / NO), the PC 1 ends the process as it is. On the other hand, when the transmitted print job cannot be output in the destination image processing apparatus (S602 / YES), the printer driver 102 notifies the alternative device search unit 113 that the output cannot be performed. Thereby, the substitute device search unit 113 searches for a substitute device with reference to the device information table of the information storage unit 103 (S603).

  In the search for an alternative device, the alternative device search unit 113 according to the present embodiment first checks whether there is a device with a matching emulation program (S604). That is, the “emulation program” described with reference to FIG. 5 is searched for a device that matches the emulation program of the destination device of the print job in S601. This is because an already generated print job can be used as it is if the emulation programs are the same.

  If there is a device whose emulation program matches (S604 / YES), the substitute device search unit 113 selects the device as a substitute device (S605), and notifies the printer driver 102 of the “host name” of the selected device. . Accordingly, the printer driver 102 transmits a print job according to the notified “host name” (S601), and repeats the processing from S601. Note that when the printer driver 102 transmits a print job via S605, the already generated print job is transmitted as it is because the emulation program is the same.

  If there is no device that matches the emulation program (S604 / NO), then the alternative device search unit 113 checks whether there is a device whose “host type” is “MFP” (S606). If there is an alternative MFP as a result of the determination in S606 (S606 / YES), the alternative device search unit 113 selects the device as an alternative device and notifies the printer driver 102 of the “host name” of the selected device. .

  In this case, since the print job is transmitted to a device with a different emulation program, the printer driver 102 corresponding to the selected device regenerates the print job (S607) and transmits the print job (S601). Thereafter, the processing from S601 is repeated.

  FIG. 7 shows the contents of the print job transmitted again via S605 or S607, that is, the request data for alternative printing. As shown in FIG. 7, “request destination device information”, “request source information”, “job ID”, and “print data” are included in the alternative print request data transmitted to the network multifunction peripherals 3 a and 3 b. included. “Job ID” is identification information for uniquely identifying a print job. The “request destination device information” is information for identifying the network multifunction peripherals 3a and 3b to which the alternative printing is requested. For example, “device name” and “host name” shown in FIG. 4 are used.

  In the present embodiment, “device name” and “host name” are used as information for identifying each device on the network. However, an IP (Internet Protocol) address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address is used. Any information that can uniquely identify a device can be used in the same manner. The information used as “request destination device information” can be any identification information stored in association with each device in the device information table shown in FIG.

  “Requester information” is identification information for identifying the source that requests alternative printing, that is, in the example of FIG. As the “request source information”, identification information such as the “host name” and IP address of the PC 1 that is the request source for alternative printing is used, and the user name of the user who has logged in to the PC 1 can also be used. is there. By using the user name, it is possible to determine the authority of the user in the requested apparatus.

  “Print data” is image data to be imaged and output. “Print data” transmitted to the network multifunction peripherals 3a and 3b is image information described in a format such as PDL (Page Description Language) corresponding to each device. Such image information is generated by the printer driver 102 corresponding to each device.

  If there is no alternative MFP as a result of the determination in S606 (S606 / NO), the alternative device search unit 113 checks whether there is a device whose “host type” is “PC” (S608). If the result of determination in S608 is that there is an alternative PC, that is, a local printer (S608 / YES), the alternative device search unit 113 selects that device as the alternative device, and sets the “host name” of the selected device as the printer. The driver 102 is notified.

  The printer driver 102 notified of the “host name” of the PC as an alternative device transmits an alternative print request to the notified PC (S609). In the present embodiment, the PC 1 transmits an alternative print request at the local printer 4 to the PC 2. That is, the printer driver 102 functions as a proxy request transmission unit that transmits a proxy request to the PC 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of the alternative print request transmitted in S609.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the alternative print request in this embodiment includes “request destination PC information” in addition to the information described in FIG. As “request destination PC information”, “host name” shown in FIG. 4 is used. That is, the “request destination PC” information is not information for identifying the local printer 4 that actually executes image formation output, but information for identifying the PC 2 to which the local printer 4 is connected. By including the above-mentioned “request destination PC information” in the alternative print request, it is possible for the request destination PC 2 to determine that the received information is an alternative print request for itself and to execute the subsequent processing. It becomes. Processing in the requested PC 2 will be described later.

  The “print data” included in the alternative print request is not the information in the PDL format as described above, but is the original data to be output for image formation, such as text data, document data, and image data. In a general local printer 4, bitmap information is generated in a connected PC (PC2 in this case), and the bitmap information is input and image formation output is executed. This is because the original image data is required to generate the bitmap.

  The PC 1 that requested the alternative printing waits for notification of whether or not the alternative printing is possible from the request destination, and when the alternative printing is permitted (S610 / YES), the process ends. On the other hand, if alternative printing is not permitted, the alternative device search unit 113 repeats the processing from S608, and makes an alternative printing request to a PC that has not yet requested an alternative printing. If no substitute PC is found in S608 (S608 / NO), the substitute device search 113 displays an error (S611), notifies that the image forming output cannot be executed, and ends the process. By such processing, the operation of the PC 1 that is the transmission source of the print job in this embodiment is completed.

  Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus connected to the PC 2 that is requested to perform alternative printing in this embodiment, that is, the local printer 4, will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, when the device cooperation control unit 110 receives an alternative print request via the communication control unit 101 in the PC 2 (S901), the print data analysis unit 112 displays “requested device information” of the alternative print request. In step S902, it is confirmed whether the request is an alternative print request to the PC 2.

  If the result of the determination in S902 is an alternative print request to the PC 2 (S902 / YES), the print data analysis unit 112 determines whether or not the alternative print can be accepted (S903). In step S <b> 903, the print data analysis unit 112 displays on the LCD 60 via the UI control unit 104 a GUI that indicates that an alternative print request has been received and on which an operation unit for designating whether or not alternative printing is possible is displayed. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of such a GUI. Then, it is determined that alternative printing is possible when permission for alternative printing is designated by an operation through the operation unit 70 by the user. That is, the print data analysis unit 112 functions as a proxy availability determination unit.

  As another aspect of S903, the print data analysis unit 112 refers to the user name logged in to the requesting PC included as the “request source information” of the alternative print request as described in FIG. The authority in the PC 2 of the user identified by the user name (hereinafter referred to as the requesting user) is determined. If the requesting user is a user who is permitted to use the PC 2, the print data analysis unit 112 determines that alternative printing is possible.

  In addition, in step S903, the print data analysis unit 112 can determine whether or not alternative printing is possible based on the processing load of the PC 2 and the state of the local printer 4 at that timing. For example, if the processing load of the PC 2 is high, it is possible to determine that the alternative printing is rejected, or if the local printer 4 is busy or unusable due to an error, it is possible to determine that the alternative printing is rejected.

  Further, if it is determined in advance as to whether to permit or reject the proxy request, such as when all proxy requests are permitted or when all proxy requests are rejected, the print data analysis unit 112 will It may be determined whether substitution is possible according to a predetermined setting.

  When alternative printing is permitted in S903 (S903 / YES), the print data analysis unit 112 transmits an alternative printing permission notice to the requesting PC 1, and sends it to the printer driver 102 corresponding to the local printer 4. Requests execution of image formation output and transfers print data included in the substitute print request. That is, the print data analysis unit 112 functions as a proxy request processing unit. As a result, printing by the local printer 4 is executed under the control of the printer driver 102 (S904), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the request is not an alternative print request to PC2 in S902 (S902 / NO), or the alternative print is rejected in S903 (S903 / NO), the print data analysis unit 112 substitutes for the requesting PC1. Rejection is notified (S905), and the process is terminated. By such processing, the operation of the PC 2 that has been requested for alternative printing is completed.

  As described above, according to the system according to the present embodiment, a PC that is a transmission source of a print job accumulates and manages information about available image forming apparatuses in the information storage unit 103 as a device information table. The contents of the device information table are shared via the network by the function of the monitoring unit 111. For this reason, even if the image forming apparatus is locally connected to the PC via an interface such as a USB, like the local printer 4, it is possible to make the presence known to other PCs.

  Therefore, even in the PC 1 to which the local printer 4 is not connected, an alternative print request can be made to the PC 2 based on the information of the local printer 4 stored in the device information table by the function of the alternative device search unit 113. it can.

  On the other hand, in the PC 2 that has received the substitute print request, image formation output is executed under the control of the printer driver 102 corresponding to the local printer 4 based on “print data” included in the substitute print request. Generally, a printer directly connected to a PC does not have an image processing function for generating bitmap data, and executes image formation output based on bitmap data generated on the PC side. Therefore, the local printer 4 cannot execute the image formation output only by transferring the print job for causing the network multifunction peripherals 3a and 3b to execute the image formation output.

  On the other hand, in the system according to the present embodiment, the PC 2 to which the local printer 4 is connected operates the corresponding driver 102 based on the alternative print request and causes the local printer 4 to execute image formation output. Since the bitmap data is generated, the above-described problems can be solved. Further, when operating the printer driver 102 corresponding to the local printer 4 based on the alternative print request, the security in the PC 2 is improved by obtaining the explicit permission by the user based on the screen as described in FIG. It is possible to prevent the driver 102 from being operated due to an illegal substitute print request and the substitute print request from becoming a security hole.

  As described above, according to the system according to the present embodiment, proxy printing can be performed by the image forming apparatus locally connected to the information processing apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, the description has been made on the premise of alternative printing in the case where an error occurs in the image forming output in the first designated image forming apparatus. However, by using the configuration according to the present embodiment, it is possible to transmit a print job to an image forming apparatus connected locally, not limited to alternative printing. According to the present embodiment, the driver for the image forming apparatus connected locally may be installed only on the PC to which the image forming apparatus is connected. Therefore, the configuration of the entire system can be simplified. In addition, complicated settings and driver installation can be realized without requiring the user.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatuses such as the network multifunction peripherals 3a and 3b and the local printer 4 have been described as examples. However, the system described above can be applied not only to the image forming apparatus but also to devices that realize various other functions.

  That is, in a network system in which processing data must be transmitted from a specific information processing terminal when using a device that performs some processing, by applying the present invention, other than the specific information processing terminal It is possible for the device to process the processing data held by the information processing terminal.

  In proxy processing, even if there is a difference in performance or processing method between proxy devices that can perform similar processing, the processing held by other information processing terminals via a specific information processing terminal The data can be appropriately processed in the substitute device.

1, 2 PC
3a, 3b Network MFP 4 Local printer 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 ROM
40 HDD
50 I / F
60 LCD
70 Operation Unit 80 Bus 100 Controller 101 Communication Control Unit 102 Printer Driver 103 Information Storage Unit 104 UI Control Unit 105 Network I / F
110 Device Cooperation Control Unit 111 Device Monitoring Unit 112 Print Data Analysis Unit 113 Alternative Device Search Unit

JP 2001-318777 A

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus that causes an image forming apparatus connected via a network to execute an image forming output,
Device information related to an image forming apparatus connected via the network and an image forming apparatus directly connected to the information processing apparatus is registered in a storage medium, and the registered device information is registered to another information processing apparatus via the network. A device information management unit to share with
An alternative device search unit that searches for a substitute device that performs image formation output based on the registered device information when image formation output in the selected image forming apparatus is impossible;
A proxy request transmission unit that transmits a proxy request for image formation output to the other information processing device when an image forming device directly connected to the other information processing device is selected as the substitute device;
A proxy availability determination unit that determines whether or not proxying of the image forming output is received when the proxy request is received;
When it is determined that the substitution is possible, the image formation output control unit that controls the image formation output by the directly connected image forming apparatus executes the image formation output based on the received substitution request. An information processing apparatus including a requesting proxy request processing unit.   The proxy availability determination unit displays an operation screen on the display unit for designating whether the image formation output can be substituted on the display unit, and determines whether the image formation output can be substituted according to a user operation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The proxy request transmission unit transmits the proxy request including user identification information for identifying a user who uses the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proxy availability determination unit determines whether the proxy for the image forming output is possible based on the user identification information included in the proxy request.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proxy availability determination unit determines whether the proxy for the image forming output is possible according to a predetermined setting. The device information includes information on the type of program for operating the image forming apparatus,
The substitute device search unit preferentially selects an image forming apparatus that cannot perform image formation output and an image forming apparatus that has the same type of program to operate as a substitute device. Item 5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4. An information processing apparatus control method for causing an image forming apparatus connected via a network to execute an image forming output,
Device information related to the image forming device connected via the network and the image forming device directly connected to the image forming output control device is registered in a storage medium, and the registered device information is registered to other information via the network. Share with processing equipment,
When image formation output in the selected image forming apparatus is impossible, search for a substitute device that performs image formation output based on the registered device information;
When an image forming apparatus directly connected to another information processing apparatus is selected as the substitute device, an image formation output proxy request is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus,
When receiving the proxy request, determine whether the proxy for the image forming output is possible,
When it is determined that the substitution is possible, the image formation output control unit that controls the image formation output by the directly connected image forming apparatus executes the image formation output based on the received substitution request. A control method for an information processing apparatus, characterized by: An information processing apparatus control program for causing an image forming apparatus connected via a network to execute an image forming output,
Device information related to the image forming device connected via the network and the image forming device directly connected to the image forming output control device is registered in a storage medium, and the registered device information is registered to other information via the network. Sharing with the processing device;
A step of searching for a substitute device that performs image formation output based on the registered device information when image formation output in the selected image forming apparatus is impossible;
When an image forming apparatus directly connected to another information processing apparatus is selected as the substitute device, a proxy request for image formation output is sent to the other information processing apparatus;
Determining whether the image forming output can be substituted when the substitution request is received;
When it is determined that the substitution is possible, the image formation output control unit that controls the image formation output by the directly connected image forming apparatus executes the image formation output based on the received substitution request. A control program for an information processing apparatus, which causes the information processing apparatus to execute a requesting step. An image forming system including a plurality of information processing apparatuses, an image forming apparatus connected to the plurality of information processing apparatuses via a network, and an image forming apparatus directly connected to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Device information related to an image forming apparatus connected via the network and an image forming apparatus directly connected to the information processing apparatus is registered in a storage medium, and the registered device information is registered to another information processing apparatus via the network. A device information management unit to share with
An alternative device search unit that searches for a substitute device that performs image formation output based on the registered device information when image formation output in the selected image forming apparatus is impossible;
A proxy request transmission unit that transmits a proxy request for image formation output to the other information processing device when an image forming device directly connected to the other information processing device is selected as the substitute device;
A proxy availability determination unit that determines whether or not proxying of the image forming output is received when the proxy request is received;
When it is determined that the substitution is possible, the image formation output control unit that controls the image formation output by the directly connected image forming apparatus executes the image formation output based on the received substitution request. An image forming system including a requesting proxy request processing unit.

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